Mop and mop wringer

ABSTRACT

A mop having a sponge mop pad is effective for cleaning in a hospital for avoidance of internal infection. In a conventional sponge mop, for washing off dust and dirt sticking to the mop after used for the cleaning, spring force has been used for folding the sponge mop pad at the middle position thereof to squeeze off the water contained in the mop by compression force. This requires a large force and workers, especially women workers, had a difficulty in the cleaning work. In the present invention, the mop having the sponge mop pad comprises a projection and the mop squeezer comprises an insert member into which the projection is inserted. By the principle of lever, the sponge mop pad is easily squeezed by homogenous compression force and predetermined water content of the mop, after squeezed, can be realized.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a mop to be used for wiping andcleaning a floor etc., especially in a hospital, and a mop squeezer tobe used for squeezing water out of the mop after the mop is washed bywater.

DESCRIPTION OF RELATED ART

In wiping and cleaning the floor etc. in a hospital, it is especiallyrequired to remove the dust and dirt without allowing the dust to risefor avoidance of internal infection like in-hospital infection.Nowadays, it is required to remove the dust and dirt more and moresecurely and cleanly than in the case using the conventional wiping andcleaning mop.

Thus, the inventors here are currently using such a mop as usesreproduced cellulose sponge (herein referred to as “a swing mop”) foreffecting a high dust recovery and remarkably reducing the number ofsticking bacteria after cleaning so as to be appropriately employed forthe abovementioned object.

FIGS. 26 and 27 illustrate the abovementioned swing mop a, wherein FIG.26 is a perspective view and FIG. 27 is an enlarged side view of a mopportion of the swing mop a.

In FIGS. 26 and 27, reference letters b to m designate parts andcomponents, respectively, as follows:

b: a handle, c: a sliding grip handle, d: a thumb slot,

e: a linkage fit slot, f: a mop handle, g: a metal link rod,

h: a metal squeezing wire, i: a squeezing arm,

j: a handle socket, k: a shroud body, l: a metal paddle,

and m: a sponge mop pad.

In handling the swing mop a, the metal paddle l together with the spongemop pad m is moved, as shown in FIG. 27. That is, the metal paddle l andthe sponge mop pad m attached thereto are usually in the horizontalposition, as shown by the two dotted and dash lines. In this state, thesponge mop pad m is wetted and used for wiping the floor.

Thereafter, the sponge mop pad m is washed by wash water in a water tank(not shown). Then, when the water is to be removed from the sponge moppad m, the sliding grip handle c is pushed down by hand along the mophandle f to thereby move the metal link rod g downward. Thus, the metalsqueezing wires h, and the squeezing arms i, both rotatably linked tothe metal link rod g, rotate swingingly, as shown by arrows in FIG. 27,against a spring force of a spring (not shown), so that the metal paddlel and the sponge mop pad m rotate to the vertical direction from thehorizontal direction. Thereby, the sponge mop pads m, m (the left handhalf and the right hand half in the figure) are folded together againsteach other and the water is squeezed off.

As this swing mop a is of such a type that the sponge mop pad m isdoubled at its mid position, a large physical power is required thereforso that the power of workers performing the cleaning in a hospital etc.,especially in case of female workers, is often not sufficient and acountermeasure to enable squeezing which requires less power has beendesired.

Thus, a simplified type of the above swing mop a is recently availablein which the metal link rod g is eliminated and the metal squeezingwires h, and the arms i, are rotated downward so that the sponge moppads m are folded. In this type of mop, however, the water squeezingstill requires a large physical power and a further improvement thereofis desired.

Also, in the swing mop a, folding of the sponge mop pad m is repeated tothereby cause a severe deterioration of the pad and a countermeasuretherefor has been desired.

Moreover, in the swing mop a, when the sponge mop pad m is folded, thepressing force acting on the mutually opposed portions of the sponge moppads m differs in the vertical direction in FIG. 27 or in thelongitudinal direction of the sponge mop pads mafter being folded. Thewater content in the sponge mop pads mafter being squeezed is nothomogenous, which causes an irregularity in wiping the floor. Hence, acountermeasure to ensure a homogenous water content in the sponge moppads m to be used for wiping the floor has been desired.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A first aspect of the present invention provides a mop and mop squeezerunit, the mop being fitted with a sponge mop pad, the mop squeezersqueezing wash water contained in the sponge mop pad. The mop and mopsqueezer unit comprise an insert body provided in one of the mop and themop squeezer, a fit member, to which the insert body is fitted, providedin the other of the mop and the mop squeezer, a receiver plate arrangedbelow the insert body or the fit member in the mop squeezer and amovable mechanism that is rotatable so as to change a gap between theinsert body or the fit member and the receiver plate.

A second aspect of the present invention provides a mop and mop squeezerunit in which a spring is provided between the insert body or the fitmember and the receiver plate.

A third aspect of the present invention provides a mop squeezersqueezing wash water contained in a sponge mop pad that is attached to arigid body of a mop. The mop squeezer comprises a receiver platearranged in the mop squeezer. A fulcrum is formed that makes contactwith at least one point of the rigid body to which the sponge mop pad isattached, and a gap between the fulcrum and the receiver plate ischangeable.

A fourth aspect of the present invention provides a mop squeezer inwhich the fulcrum is formed on a presser plate. A strut for forming agap between the receiver plate and the presser plate is provided passingthrough the receiver plate and the presser plate and an elastic memberis provided at portions of the strut that pass through the receiverplate and the presser plate.

A fifth aspect of the present invention provides a mop squeezer in whichthe mop squeezer comprises a cylindrical member on which the receiverplate is placed.

A sixth aspect of the present invention provides a mop squeezer in whichthe cylindrical member is rotatable.

A seventh aspect of the present invention provides a mop squeezersqueezing wash water contained in a mop, characterized in that the mopsqueezer is provided above a water tank for receiving the wash waterthat is squeezed off by the mop squeezer.

An eighth aspect of the present invention provides a mop squeezersqueezing wash water contained in a mop, characterized in that the mopsqueezer has a function to be detachably mounted on a strut providedabove a water tank for receiving the wash water that is squeezed off bythe mop squeezer.

A ninth aspect of the present invention provides a mop squeezersqueezing wash water contained in a mop, characterized in that the mopsqueezer has a function to be detachably mounted on a strut, the strutat one portion being fixed to a carriage, on which a water tankreceiving the wash water that is squeezed off by the mop squeezer isplaced, and at another portion being provided above the water tank.

A tenth aspect of the present invention provides a mop squeezer,comprising a presser member provided in a framework of the mop squeezerand a receiver plate rotatably arranged below the presser member in theframework so that a gap between the presser member and the receiverplate is smaller than a thickness of a mop that is applied to the mopsqueezer.

An eleventh aspect of the present invention provides a mop squeezercomprising a presser member provided in a framework of the mop squeezerand a receiver plate rotatably arranged below the presser member in theframework so that a gap between the presser member and the receiverplate is smaller than a thickness of a mop that is applied to the mopsqueezer.

A twelfth aspect of the present invention provides a mop squeezer,comprising a strut fitted to each of two frame members of the mopsqueezer so that an acute angle is formed between the strut and theframe member, a presser member fixed between the struts and a receiverplate rotatably arranged between the frame members below the pressermember so that a gap between the presser member and the receiver plateis smaller than a thickness of a mop that is applied to the mopsqueezer.

A thirteenth aspect of the present invention provides a mop squeezer,comprising a strut rotatably fitted to each of two frame members of themop squeezer so that, in a stationary position of the mop squeezer,substantially zero angle and an acute angle are formed between the strutand the frame member, a presser member fixed between the struts and areceiver plate rotatably arranged between the frame members below thepresser member so that a gap between the presser member and the receiverplate is smaller than a thickness of a mop that is applied to the mopsqueezer.

A fourteenth aspect of the present invention provides a mop squeezer inwhich the frame members have their lower end portions connected to eachother via a lower frame fixing member, the struts have their lower endportions connected to each other via a lower strut fixing member and theframe members and the struts are connected to each other via a hingemechanism.

A fifteenth aspect of the present invention provides a mop squeezer,comprising a strut fitted to each of two frame members of the mopsqueezer so that an acute angle is formed between the strut and theframe member, a presser piece fixed to each of the struts and a receiverplate rotatably arranged between the frame members below the presserpieces so that a gap between the presser pieces and the receiver plateis smaller than a thickness of a mop that is applied to the mopsqueezer.

A sixteenth aspect of the present invention provides a mop squeezer,characterized in comprising a strut rotatably fitted to each of twoframe members of the mop squeezer so that, in a stationary position ofthe mop squeezer, substantially zero angle and an acute angle are formedbetween the strut and the frame member, a presser piece fixed to each ofthe struts and a receiver plate rotatably arranged between the framemembers below the presser pieces so that a gap between the presserpieces and the receiver plate is smaller than a thickness of a mop thatis applied to the mop squeezer.

A seventeenth aspect of the present invention provides a mop squeezer asmentioned in the sixteenth invention, characterized in that the framemembers have their lower end portions connected to each other via alower frame fixing member, the struts have their lower end portionsconnected to each other via a lower strut fixing member and the framemembers and the struts are connected to each other via a hingemechanism.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a water tank of a first embodimentaccording to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a front view of the water tank of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a cross sectional side view of the water tank of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a front view of a mop with sponge of the first embodiment,wherein FIG. 4 is also a front view of a mop with sponge of a secondembodiment according to the present invention shown in FIG. 7.

FIG. 5 is a side view of the mop with sponge of FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is a function explanatory view of the first embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a water tank of the second embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a front view of the water tank of FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 is a cross sectional side view of the water tank of FIG. 7.

FIG. 10 is a function explanatory view of the second embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a mop squeezer of a third embodimentaccording to the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a front view of the mop squeezer of FIG. 11.

FIG. 13 is a function explanatory view of the third embodiment.

FIG. 14 is a side view of the mop squeezer of FIG. 11 showing the statewhere the mop squeezer is mounted on a carriage.

FIG. 15 is a front view of the mop squeezer of FIG. 14.

FIG. 16 is a rear view of the mop squeezer of FIG. 14.

FIG. 17 is a perspective view of a mop squeezer of an fourth embodimentaccording to the present invention.

FIG. 18 is a side view of the mop squeezer of FIG. 17.

FIG. 19 is a function explanatory view of the mop squeezer of FIG. 17.

FIG. 20 is a side view of a mop squeezer of a fifth embodiment accordingto the present invention.

FIG. 21 is a side view of the mop squeezer of FIG. 20 showing the statewhere the mop squeezer is folded.

FIG. 22 is a side view of a mop squeezer of a sixth embodiment accordingto the present invention.

FIG. 23 is a front view of the mop squeezer of FIG. 22.

FIG. 24 is a side view of the mop squeezer of FIG. 32 showing the statewhere the mop squeezer is folded.

FIG. 25 is a front view of a mop squeezer of an seventh embodimentaccording to the present invention.

FIG. 26 is a perspective view of a mop with sponge in the prior art.

FIG. 27 is an enlarged perspective view of a mop portion of the mop withsponge in the prior art.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Herebelow, the present invention will be described more concretely basedon embodiments according to the present invention with reference to theappended figures.

Next, FIGS. 1 to 10 illustrate a first and a second embodiment accordingto the present invention. FIGS. 1 to 6 show the first embodiment,wherein FIG. 1 is a perspective view, FIG. 2 is a front view, FIG. 3 isa cross sectional side view taken on line IX-IX of FIG. 2 and seen inthe direction of arrows, FIG. 4 is a front view of a mop with sponge ofthe first embodiment, FIG. 5 is a side view of the mop of FIG. 4 andFIG. 6 is a function explanatory view of the first embodiment.

In FIGS. 1 to 3, numeral 201 designates a box-like water tank that hasits upper surface opened and stores therein wash water (not shown).Numeral 202 designates a front plate of the water tank 201, numerals,203 designate side plates of the water tank 201 and numeral 204designates a rear plate of the water tank 201. Numeral 205 designates acylindrical member that is provided between the side plates 203. Thiscylindrical member 205 may be provided either fixedly or rotatably.Numeral 206 designates a receiver plate that is placed on thecylindrical member 205. Numeral 207 designates a presser plate that isprovided between the side plates 203 with an appropriate gap kept abovethe receiver plate 206. Numeral 208 designates a shaft that is providedprojecting from both side end faces of the presser plate 207 to berotatably supported to the side plates 203. Numeral 209 designates a cutportion that is provided at a front peripheral central position of thepresser plate 207. Numeral 210 designates a reinforcing plate that isfixed to an upper surface of the presser plate 207. Numerals 211designate struts that support the presser plate 207 and the receiverplate 206. Numerals 212 a, 212 b designate an upper nut and a lower nut,respectively, that adjustably form a length of the strut 211 between thepresser plate 207 and the receiver plate 206. The length of the struts211 between a lower surface of the presser plate 207 and an uppersurface of the receiver plate 206 is adjusted by the position of theupper nut 212 a or the lower nut 212 b so as to be appropriately smallerthan a thickness of a sponge mop pad 214 and a metal plate 215 fixedlysupporting the sponge mop pad 214, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5. That is,the minimum gap between the lower surface of the presser plate 207 andthe upper surface of the receiver plate 206 is set to such a size asrealizes an appropriate thickness of the sponge mop pad 214 by thecompression. In FIGS. 4 and 5, numeral 217 designates a fixing leverthat fixes a mop handle 216 to the metal plate 215.

In the first embodiment constructed as mentioned above, the length ofthe strut 211 between the presser plate 207 and the receiver plate 206is first adjusted beforehand by the position of the upper nut 212 a orthe lower nut 212 b so as to be slightly smaller than the thickness ofthe sponge mop pad 214 and the metal plate 215. The sponge mop pad 214of the mop with sponge 213 is immersed into the wash water in the watertank 201 and the sticking dust and dirt of the sponge mop pad 214 arewashed off. Then, as shown in FIG. 6, the sponge mop pad 214 togetherwith the metal plate 215 of the mop with sponge 213 is inserted into thegap between the presser plate 207 and the receiver plate 206 andsubsequently the mop handle 216 is rotated in the direction of arrow Ain FIG. 6. Thus, the metal plate 215 is rotated in the direction ofarrow A around a fulcrum line P in FIG. 6. This fulcrum line P isgenerated in a contact face between a front end portion of the metalplate 215 and a rear end portion of the presser plate 207. Thereby, thesponge mop pad 214 is compressed between the metal plate 215 and thereceiver plate 206 so that the water contained in the sponge mop pad 214is squeezed off to be appropriately adjusted for wiping the floor. Thesqueezed water falls down flowing through a plurality of drain holes(not shown) bored in the receiver plate 206 or flowing aside thereceiver plate 206 to be stored in the water tank 201.

Then, the mop handle 216 is rotated in the direction of arrow B in FIG.6 and the sponge mop pad 214 together with the metal plate 215 is pulledout of the gap between the presser plate 207 and the receiver plate 206,so that the mop with sponge is ready for the next wiping and cleaning.

FIGS. 7 to 10 show the second embodiment, wherein FIG. 7 is aperspective view, FIG. 8 is a front view, FIG. 9 is a cross sectionalside view taken on line XV-XV of FIG. 8 and seen in the direction ofarrows and FIG. 10 is a function explanatory view of the secondembodiment. As the reference numerals 201 to 207, 209 and 211 to 215 inFIGS. 7 to 10 designate the same parts and components, respectively, asthose shown in FIGS. 1 to 6, repeated description thereof will beomitted.

In FIGS. 7 to 10, numeral 218 a designates an upper swell that isprovided at an upper end of the strut 211 passing through the presserplate 207 and numeral 218 b designates a lower swell that is provided ata lower end of the strut 211 passing through the receiver plate 206.Numeral 219 a designates an upper spring that is provided between theupper swell 218 a and an upper surface of the presser plate 207 andnumeral 219 b designates a lower spring that is provided between thelower swell 218 b and a lower surface of the receiver plate 206. If thestrut 211 is separated into two parts at a middle position thereof, thena single spring may be provided between these two parts.

In the second embodiment constructed as mentioned above, the sponge moppad 214 of the mop with sponge 213 is immersed into wash water (notshown) in the water tank 201 and the sticking dust and dirt of thesponge mop pad 214 are washed off. Then, as shown in FIG. 10, the spongemop pad 214 together with the metal plate 215 of the mop with sponge 213is inserted into the gap between the presser plate 207 and the receiverplate 206 and subsequently the mop handle 216 is rotated in thedirection of arrow A in FIG. 10 against the spring force of the uppersprings 219 a and the lower springs 219 b. Thus, the metal plate 215 isrotated in the direction of arrow A around a fulcrum line P in FIG. 10.This fulcrum line P is generated in a contact face between a front endportion of the metal plate 215 and a rear end portion of the presserplate 207. Thereby, the sponge mop pad 214 is compressed between themetal plate 215 and the receiver plate 206 so that the water containedin the sponge mop pad 214 is squeezed off to be appropriately adjustedfor wiping the floor. The squeezed water falls down flowing through aplurality of drain holes (not shown) bored in the receiver plate 206 orflowing aside the receiver plate 206 to be stored in the water tank 201.

Then, the mop with sponge 202 is pulled out of the gap between thepresser plate 207 and the receiver plate 206 and the presser plate 207is rotated in the direction of arrow B in FIG. 9 by the spring force ofthe upper springs 219 a and the lower springs 219 b.

FIGS. 11 to 16 illustrate a third embodiment, wherein FIG. 11 is aperspective view of a mop squeezer of the third embodiment, FIG. 12 is afront view of the mop squeezer, FIG. 13 is a function explanatory viewof the mop squeezer in which a mop with sponge is inserted into the mopsqueezer to thereby squeeze wash water or dirty water contained in asponge mop pad, FIG. 14 is a side view showing the state where the mopsqueezer is mounted on a strut, FIG. 15 is a front view of the mopsqueezer of FIG. 14 and FIG. 16 is a rear view of the mop squeezer ofFIG. 14.

In FIGS. 11 to 16, numeral 301 designates the mop squeezer, numeral 302designates a frame of a cross sectional C-shape of the mop squeezer thathas its upper and lower surface portions opened and comprises a rearplate 302 a and side plates 302 b. Numeral 303 designates a presserplate that is fixed between the side plates 302 b. It is to be notedthat the presser plate 303 may have its both side ends fixed to the sideplates 302 b or may have its both side ends not fixed to the side plates302 b but fixed to the rear plate 302 a of the frame 302, as shown inFIG. 12. Numeral 304 designates a receiver plate that has both side endsfitted with frame suspending plates 305 of a substantially triangularshape so as to be rotatable around pins 306. Numeral 307 designates aplurality of holes that are bored in the receiver plate 304. Numerals308 a designate frame suspending formed members that extend from theside plates 302 b of the frame 302 and form grooves 309. Numeral 308 bdesignates a frame suspending formed member that extends from the rearplate 302 a of the frame 302 and forms a groove (not shown). As for theframe suspending formed members, 308 a and 308 b, both of them may beprovided or either of them may be provided. A mop with sponge 310 issuch one as shown in FIG. 13, wherein numeral 310 a designates a handleand numeral 310 b designates a fixing lever that fixes a fixing plate310 c to the handle 310 a. Numeral 310 d designates a metal plate, towhich a sponge mop pad 310 e is bonded via a double coated adhesivetape, etc.

A water tank 311 is placed on a bottom plate 312 a of a carriage 312, asshown in FIGS. 14 to 16. The carriage 312 comprises four casters, thatis, two casters 312 b on the front side and two casters 312 c on therear side. The carriage 312 is fixed with two upwardly extending struts312 d that have their upper ends connected to each other via an upperstrut 312 e. The upper strut 312 e, at which the workers push thecarriage 312, is covered with a rubber tube 312 f, etc. so as to befriendly to the workers. Numeral 312 g designates a middle strut that isfixed to a middle position of the struts 312 d and has both endsextending downward to form vertical struts 312 h. The vertical struts312 h have their ends bent substantially orthogonally to further extendto form suspending struts 312 i. Between the suspending struts 312 i andthe struts 312 d, L-shaped reinforcing struts 312 j are provided asreinforcing members. Also, between the reinforcing struts 312 j, upperand lower horizontal reinforcing struts 312 k are provided.

In the third embodiment constructed as mentioned above, the sponge moppad 310 e of the mop with sponge 310 is immersed into wash water (notshown) in the water tank 311, as shown in FIGS. 14 to 16, and thesticking dust and dirt of the sponge mop pad 310 e are washed off. Then,as shown in FIG. 13, the sponge mop pad 310 e together with the metalplate 310 d of the mop with sponge 310 is inserted into the gap betweenthe presser plate 303 and the receiver plate 304 and subsequently themop handle 310 a is rotated in the direction of arrow C in FIG. 13.Thus, the receiver plate 304 is rotated in the direction of arrow Daround the pins 306 via the frame suspending plates 305. Thereby, thegap between the presser plate 303 and the receiver plate 304 becomesnarrower so that the sponge mop pad 310 e is compressed and the watercontained in the sponge mop pad 310 e is squeezed off to beappropriately adjusted for wiping the floor. The squeezed water fallsdown flowing through a plurality of holes 307 bored in the receiverplate 304 or flowing aside the receiver plate 304 to be stored in thewater tank 311.

Then, the handle 310 a is rotated in the direction of arrow E in FIG. 13to thereby rotate the receiver plate 304 in the direction of arrow Faround the pins 306 via the frame suspending plates 305. Thereby, thegap between the presser plate 303 and the receiver plate 304 becomeslarger so that the mop with sponge 310 can be easily pulled out. Thus,the mop with sponge 310 is removed out of the mop squeezer 301 to beready for the next wiping.

In this case, a considerable force is required to move the handle 310 ain the direction of arrow C in FIG. 13 for squeezing the wash watercontained in the sponge mop pad 310 e.

In the conventional case, it has been necessary to design the water tankso that it has an enough strength for withstanding a strong force addedto the handle 310 a. In the present embodiment, however, the strongforce added to the handle 310 a is conveyed to the entire carriage 312via the suspending struts 312 i. Thus, it is not necessary to make thewater tank 311 strengthened so as to withstand the strong force added tothe handle 310 a.

The present embodiment is not limited to the examples illustrated inFIGS. 11 to 16 but can be applied to general mop squeezers having suchmops as made by cloths or cloth fibers.

A mop squeezer of a fourth embodiment according to the present inventionwill be described with reference to FIGS. 17 to 19.

FIG. 17 is a perspective view, FIG. 18 is a side view and FIG. 19 is afunction explanatory view, all of the fourth embodiment.

In FIGS. 17 to 19, numeral 401 designates the mop squeezer, numerals 402designate frame members that are provided substantially in parallel toeach other and inclinedly relative to a floor 403, numeral 404designates an upper frame pipe that connects upper ends of the framemembers 402 to each other and numeral 405 designates a lower frame pipethat connects lower ends of the frame members 402 to each other.Numerals 406 designate struts that are fixedly provided at a middleposition of the frame members 402 so as to make an acute angle betweenthemselves and the frame members 402. Numeral 407 designates a lowerframe pipe that connects lower ends of the struts 406 to each other.Numeral 408 designates a presser plate that is fixed to the struts 406and numeral 409 designates a receiver plate that is fitted to the framemembers 402 rotatably around pins 410. The gap between the presser plate408 and the receiver plate 409 is set to such a size as is slightlysmaller than a thickness of the mop with sponge in the prior art shownin FIGS. 26 and 27. In FIG. 19, numeral 411 designates a mop with spongethat comprises a metal plate 412, a sponge mop pad 413 and a handle 414.Numeral 415 designates a water tank.

In the fourth embodiment constructed as mentioned above, sponge mop pad413 together with the metal plate 412 of the mop with sponge 411 isplaced on the receiver plate 409 so as to be inserted into the gapbetween the presser plate 408 and the receiver plate 409. When thehandle 414 is rotated in the direction of arrow A in FIG. 19, thereceiver plate 409 is also rotated so that the sponge mop pad 413 iscompressed between the presser plate 408 and the receiver plate 409.Thus, the water contained in the sponge mop pad 413 is squeezed off tobe appropriately adjusted. Then, the handle 414 is rotated in thedirection of arrow B and the sponge mop pad 413 together with the metalplate 412 is taken out from between the presser plate 408 and thereceiver plate 409 to be ready for the next wiping.

In this case, a considerable force is required to move the handle 414 inthe direction of arrow C in FIG. 19 for squeezing the wash watercontained in the sponge mop pad 413.

In the conventional case, it has been necessary to design the water tankso that it has an enough strength for withstanding a strong force addedto the handle 414. In the present embodiment, however, the strong forceadded to the handle 414 is conveyed to the strut 406 via the presserplate 408 and to the frame member 402 via the receiver plate 409, andthus to the entire mop squeezer 401. Hence, it is not necessary to makethe water tank 415 strengthened so as to stand the strong force added tothe handle 414.

Next, a mop squeezer of a fifth embodiment according to the presentinvention will be described with reference to FIGS. 20 and 21. Both ofFIGS. 20 and 21 are side views of the fifth embodiment, wherein FIG. 21shows the state where the mop squeezer is folded.

In FIGS. 20 and 21, reference numerals 401 a to 403 a, 406 a and 408 ato 410 a designate the same parts and components, respectively, as thoseshown by reference numerals 401 to 403, 406 and 408 to 410 in FIGS. 17to 19 and repeated description thereof will be omitted.

In FIGS. 20 and 21, numeral 416 a designates a pin, around which theframe member 402 a and the strut 406 a are rotatably supported andnumeral 417 a designates a stopper that stops the strut 406 a againstthe frame member 402 a so that an acute angle is formed between theframe member 402 a and the strut 406 a.

In the fifth embodiment constructed as mentioned above, during the work,the mop squeezer is used while the frame member 402 a and the strut 406a keep the acute angle, as shown in FIG. 20. When the work is finishedor otherwise during the time out of work, the strut 406 a is folded tothe frame member 402 a, as shown in FIG. 21, so that the mop squeezer iseasily transported or is kept aside.

Further, a mop squeezer of a sixth embodiment according to the presentinvention will be described with reference to FIGS. 22 to 24. FIG. 22 isa side view thereof, FIG. 33 is a front view thereof and FIG. 24 is aside view showing the state where the mop squeezer is folded.

In FIGS. 22 to 24, reference numerals 401 b to 403 b, 406 b, 409 b, 410b and 415 b designate the same parts and components, respectively, asthose shown by reference numerals 401 to 403, 406, 409, 410 and 415 inFIGS. 17 to 19 and repeated description thereof will be omitted.

In FIGS. 22 to 24, numeral 418 b designates a rotation jig, by which theframe member 402 b and the strut 406 b are rotatably supported, numeral419 b designates a pin and numeral 420 b designates a bottom portion ofthe mop squeezer 401 b that exists between a lower end portion of theframe member 402 b and a lower end portion of the strut 406 b. Thisbottom portion 420 b is surrounded by a hinge mechanism that comprises aframe member side bottom plate 421 b, a strut side bottom plate 422 b, apin 423 b rotatably connecting the frame member 402 b to the framemember side bottom plate 421 b, a pin 424 b rotatably connecting thestrut 406 b to the strut side bottom plate 422 b and a pin 425 brotatably connecting the frame member side bottom plate 421 b and thestrut side bottom plate 422 b to each other. Numerals 426 b, 427 bdesignate casters fitted to the lower ends of the frame member 402 b andthe strut 406 b.

In the sixth embodiment constructed as mentioned above, during the work,the mop squeezer is used while the frame member 402 b and the strut 406b keep the acute angle, as shown in FIG. 22.

When the work is finished at a predetermined place, the mop squeezer ismoved to a next place to be wiped using the casters 426 b, 427 b. Whenthe work is finished or otherwise during the time out of work, the strut406 b is folded to the frame member 402 b, as shown in FIG. 24, so thatthe mop squeezer is easily transported or is kept aside.

Finally, a mop squeezer of a seventh embodiment according to the presentinvention will be described with reference to FIG. 25. FIG. 25 is afront view of the eleventh embodiment.

In FIG. 25, reference numerals 401 c to 403 c, 406 c, 409 c, 410 c, 415c, 419 c and 426 c designate the same parts and components,respectively, as those shown by reference numerals 401 b to 403 b, 406b, 409 b, 410 b, 415 b, 419 b and 426 b in FIG. 24 and repeateddescription thereof will be omitted.

In FIG. 25, numerals 428 c, 428 c designate presser plate pieces thatare fitted to the struts 406 c, 406 c.

In the seventh embodiment constructed as mentioned above, if a spongemop pad having an extended width is used, a metal plate of the extendedwidth holding the sponge mop pad is engaged at both end portions of themetal plate with the presser plate pieces 428 c, 428 c. Thus, the spongemop pad is compressed between the metal plate and the receiver plate 409c and water contained in the sponge mop pad is squeezed off so that apredetermined water content is realized.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

As mentioned above, the mop and the mop squeezer of the presentinvention has the applicability as follows:

1. As the water contained in the sponge mop pad after being washed bythe wash water can be easily squeezed off by application of the leverusing the handle of the mop, the cleaning work can be done comfortablyeven by women workers having less physical power.

2. As the sponge mop pad is not of the type that is folded at the middleposition so as to squeeze off the water contained therein, deteriorationof the sponge mop pad can be avoided.

3. As the water contained in the sponge mop pad is squeezed off by thehomogenous force added to the entire surface of the sponge mop pad, thewater content in the sponge mop pad after being squeezed becomeshomogenous over the entire sponge mop pad and no irregularity in thewiping is caused.

4. As the structure of the mop and/or the mop squeezer is simple, it canbe easily changed to a larger size or to a smaller size so as to bewidely applied not only to the industrial field but also to use in thehome.

5. While the conventional cleaning in a hospital etc. has been done inthree steps, that is, sweeping by a broom, wiping by a dust mop andwiping by water, the mop and/or the mop squeezer of the presentinvention enables cleaning by one step, thereby remarkably reducing thecost of man power required for the cleaning.

6. As the cleaning, especially in a hospital, can be done by the spongemop pad having the homogenous water content, the water on the floorafter the cleaning is dried in a short time, which is effective foravoidance of internal infection in the hospital.

7. As the sponge mop pad is squeezed directly above the water tank,there is no scattering of the water that is squeezed off, which ispreferable for sanitary purposes.

8. As the squeezing mechanism is made very simple such that the spongemop pad is compressed by the metal plate of the mop that is rotatedaround the fulcrum defined as the contact line of the metal plate andthe presser plate of the water tank, the squeezing work of the mop isvery simple.

9. While the conventional water tank has been designed to have a highstrength so as to withstand the large force required for squeezing offthe wash water contained in the mop, this is not necessary in thepresent invention.

10. For the same reason as in Item 9 above, the water tank can be madeto be light weight.

11. As the squeezing mechanism of the sponge mop pad is very simple,manufacture of the mop squeezer is very easy.

12. As the structure of the unit is simple as compared with theconventional unit, the mop squeezer of the sponge mop pad can be madeless costly.

13. As the hinge mechanism enables a compact size of the mop squeezer,when folded, transportation and maintenance thereof can be done easily.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A mop squeezer for squeezing wash watercontained in a sponge mop pad fitted on a mop, said mop squeezercomprising: a receiver plate mounted so as to be rotatable; a presserplate spaced apart from said receiver plate; a strut protruding throughsaid receiver plate and said presser plate such that a first end of saidstrut protrudes through said presser plate to form a first protrudingportion, and a second end of said strut protrudes through said receiverplate to form a second protruding portion, said strut being arrangedsuch that a gap is formed between said receiver plate and said presserplate; and a spring positioned on at least one of said first protrudingportion and said second protruding portion; said receiver plate and saidpresser plate having a structure and being arranged with respect to eachother so that when the sponge mop pad, attached to a rigid body, isinserted into the gap between said receiver plate and said presser platein a forward direction, a fulcrum is formed at an interface of a frontend portion of the rigid body and a rear end portion of said presserplate, and when a handle of the mop is pressed down, a gap between saidreceiver plate and and the fulcrum is changed, and the sponge mop pad iscompressed.
 2. A mop squeezer as claimed in claim 1, further comprising:a cylindrical member arranged to support said receiver plate.
 3. A mopsqueezer as claimed in claim 2, wherein said cylindrical member isrotatable.
 4. A mop squeezer for squeezing wash water contained in asponge mop pad fitted on a mop, said mop squeezer comprising: a receiverplate mounted so as to be rotatable; a presser plate spaced apart fromsaid receiver plate; a strut protruding through said receiver plate andsaid presser plate such that a first end of said strut protrudes throughsaid presser plate to form a first protruding portion, and a second endof said strut protrudes through said receiver plate to form a secondprotruding portion, said strut being arranged such that a gap is formedbetween said receiver plate and said presser plate; a spring positionedon at least one of said first protruding portion and said secondprotruding portion; and a cylindrical member arranged to support saidreceiver plate, wherein said presser plate is mounted so as to bepivotable about a fixed point, and wherein said receiver plate and saidpresser plate have a structure and are arranged with respect to eachother so that when the sponge mop pad is inserted into the gap betweensaid receiver plate and said presser plate in a forward direction, and ahandle of the mop is pressed down, the gap between said receiver plateand said presser plate is narrowed, and the sponge mop pad iscompressed.
 5. A mop squeezer for squeezing wash water contained in asponge mop pad fitted on a mop, said mop squeezer comprising: two framemembers; two struts, each of said struts being fitted to a respectiveone of said frame members such that an acute angle is formed betweeneach of said struts and a respective one of said frame members; apresser connected to said struts; and a receiver plate pivotallyconnected between said frame members and below said presser such that agap between said presser and said receiver plate is smaller than athickness of the sponge mop pad to be inserted into said mop squeezer,said presser and said receiver plate having a structure and beingarranged with respect to each other so that when the sponge mop pad isinserted into the gap between said receiver plate and said presser, anda handle of the mop is pressed down, the gap between said receiver plateand said presser is narrowed and the sponge mop pad is compressed.
 6. Amop squeezer as claimed in claim 5, wherein each of said struts ispivotally connected to a respective one of said frame members such thatthe angle between each of said struts and a respective one of said framemembers is adjustable from zero degrees to an acute angle.
 7. A mopsqueezer as claimed in claim 6, further comprising: a lower frame fixingmember connected to lower end portions of said frame members; a lowerstrut fixing member connected to lower end portions of said struts; anda hinge mechanism connecting said struts and said frame members.
 8. Amop squeezer as claimed in claim 7, wherein said presser is a pressermember.
 9. A mop squeezer as claimed in claim 7, wherein said presser isa presser piece fixed to each of said struts.
 10. A mop squeezer asclaimed in claim 6, wherein said presser is a presser member.
 11. A mopsqueezer as claimed in claim 6, wherein said presser is a presser piecefixed to each of said struts.
 12. A mop squeezer as claimed in claim 5,wherein said presser is a presser member.
 13. A mop squeezer as claimedin claim 5, wherein said presser is a presser piece fixed to each ofsaid struts.